JP5097643B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine suitable for use as a so-called arcade game machine installed in a game center or the like, and more specifically, a game configured to play a game using a game medium such as a ball. Related to the machine.

  Some arcade-type game machines have a medal inserted into a predetermined medal game field to play a game. In such a game machine, not only a simple game is progressed using medals, but also a lottery game using, for example, a ball is performed according to the progress of the medal game. There is one that is designed to enhance interest (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the game machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 3 of the same document, the medal game field includes an image display device (slot device 20) that displays the execution of the electronic game on a liquid crystal screen, And a pusher field. The pusher field has a fixed plate (lower medal mounting table 14) and a movable plate (middle medal mounting table 13) that reciprocates on the fixed plate, and the medal placed on the fixed plate is pushed by the movable plate. When the player falls into the drop groove on the near side, the dropped medal is paid out to the player. When a computer lottery developed in the image display device is won, for example, one or more balls are thrown toward the pusher field in accordance with the winning prize. When the ball falls into the drop groove, a physical lottery with a large amount of medal acquisition opportunities is started.

  In the game machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, the ball is thrown into the pusher field in the first fixed rail (second transport rail 23c) that transports the ball to the back side of the pusher field, or in the second that transports the ball to the drop groove. The fixed rail (the third transport rail 23d) is used, and the computer lottery determines which of the two fixed rails is supplied with the ball. When the ball is supplied to the second fixed rail, it immediately shifts to the next physical lottery, which is advantageous for the player and is a so-called “winning” state. On the other hand, when a ball is supplied to the first fixed rail, in order for the ball to fall into the drop groove, the ball is moved as the medal placed on the fixed plate is pushed forward and moved. Must move and a relatively large number of medals need to be thrown into the pusher field. Therefore, in this case, it is disadvantageous for the player and is in a state of “out of”.

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, there are only two positions where the ball is inserted into the pusher field, which are set uniformly corresponding to the above-described “hit” or “displacement”. There was a lack of interest in the introduction of. Further, when the balls are continuously thrown in, the balls are biased on the pusher field.

Japanese Patent No. 3542119

  The present invention has been conceived under such circumstances, and in a game machine in which a predetermined event is started when a game medium thrown into a pusher field falls into a drop groove. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game machine that reduces the uneven distribution of game media placed on the field and enhances the interest.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following technical means.

  A game machine provided by the present invention has a fixed plate and a movable plate that reciprocates on the fixed plate, and a game medium placed on the fixed plate is pushed by the movable plate and falls into a drop groove. A game machine comprising a pusher field configured as described above and configured to start a predetermined event when a game medium thrown into the pusher field through a predetermined passage falls into the drop groove A game medium supply means for supplying the game medium to the predetermined passage, and a position where the game medium is inserted into the pusher field by reciprocatingly rotating the predetermined passage around a vertical axis. And a charging position changing means for changing the horizontal distance from the dropping groove so as to vary within a predetermined range. It is characterized in that.

  According to the game machine having such a configuration, the insertion position of the game medium with respect to the pusher field can be continuously changed by providing the insertion position changing means. For this reason, the player becomes more interested in which position the game medium is inserted. Therefore, the expectation degree and excitement degree of the player can be increased, and the interest as a game machine can be enhanced. Further, according to the above configuration, even when game media are continuously input to the pusher field, uneven distribution of the game media on the pusher field is reduced.

  In a preferred embodiment, the charging position changing means changes the charging position between a first position immediately above the dropping groove and a second position spaced from the dropping groove.

  According to such a configuration, depending on the timing at which the game medium is inserted through the predetermined passage, the game medium can be dropped directly into the drop groove, and a predetermined event is immediately started. There is a chance. Thereby, a player's expectation degree and excitement degree are raised more, and the interest as a game machine can be raised more.

  In a preferred embodiment, the charging position changing means is configured to be able to stop the charging position at a predetermined position between the first position and the second position.

  According to such a configuration, a state in which the game medium input position is continuously changed by reciprocatingly rotating the predetermined passage and a state in which the game medium input position is stopped at the predetermined position are created. be able to. For this reason, various game characteristics can be provided with respect to the insertion of the game medium into the pusher field, and the interest as a game machine can be further enhanced.

  In a preferred embodiment, the insertion position changing means changes the insertion position according to a predetermined game result.

  According to such a configuration, a state advantageous to the player or a disadvantageous state can be created according to the game result, and the interest as a game machine can be further enhanced.

  In a preferred embodiment, a medal game field in which a game using medals is played is provided, and medals are paid out according to the result of the predetermined event.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide various game characteristics combining a game played in the medal game field, a game medium input to the pusher field, and a predetermined event. This is suitable for enhancing the interest of the game machine.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a game machine according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 12 show an embodiment of a game machine according to the present invention. As shown well in FIG. 1, in the game machine A of the present embodiment, a cylindrical showcase 11 is placed on the lower housing 10, and an upper cover 12 is provided on the showcase 11. A medal game field MF and a center unit CU, which will be described later, are provided in the space surrounded by the showcase 11. A plurality of operation panel portions 13 are provided at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface portion of the lower housing 10 so that the same number of persons (for example, eight people) as those operation panel portions 13 can play a game simultaneously. It has become. Each operation panel unit 13 includes an operation button 13A and an operation lever 13C used in a lottery game, which will be described later, as well as a detailed illustration and explanation, but a medal depot for storing medals, a medal insertion slot Etc. are provided. A medal payout opening 13B for paying out a medal dropped from the medal game field MF is also provided in the back of the operation panel unit 13. In addition, a medal insertion device 14 is provided inside the lower housing 10 on both the left and right sides of each operation panel unit 13. The medal insertion device 14 is configured to throw out medals inserted by the player outside the showcase 11 toward the medal game field MF in the showcase 11 in a desired direction on the left and right. For example, a total of eight medal game fields MF are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of operation panel units 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game machine A has an image display device 2, a pusher field 3, a ball throwing mechanism 5, a croon lottery device 6, and a center unit CU (catcher lottery device 4 or A microcomputer 9 for controlling the operation of each part such as the center lottery device 7) is mounted.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the medal game field MF is provided with an image display device 2 for executing an electronic game using a liquid crystal display, a pusher field 3, and a ball throwing mechanism 5. Yes.

  As clearly shown in FIG. 4, the image display device 2 is inclined so that its screen portion becomes lower as it goes to the near side. The screen portion of the image display device 2 is covered with a glass plate 21 with the frame 20 interposed therebetween, and the front surface of the glass plate 21 is an inclined surface 21A.

  Between the image display device 2 and the pusher field 3, a plurality of chuckers 26 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction. The chucker 26 has a horizontally long opening 26 </ b> A that allows passage of medals in a posture substantially along the inclined surface 21 </ b> A of the glass plate 21.

  The medal insertion device 14 includes an upright medal transport guide 141 for transporting the medal m upward via a medal delivery mechanism (not shown), and a medal shooter 142 for throwing out the medal m while giving an initial speed. And have. More specifically, the medal shooter 142 includes a downward rail 142A for rolling and accelerating the medal m received from the medal transport guide 141, and an upward rail 142B for throwing the medal upward above the horizontal direction. It is the composition that was connected. The medal shooter 142 can swing within a predetermined angle range in the lateral direction by operating an operation lever 13C provided on the operation panel unit 13. The medal delivery mechanism is a well-known mechanism that is disposed between the medal insertion slot and the medal transport guide 141 and includes a path for transporting the medal m, a hopper device for the medal m, and the like.

  In the vicinity of the upper part of the chucker 26, a restricting member 25 that guides the drop of medals into the opening 26A is provided. The restricting member 25 is a bar disposed substantially in parallel with the glass plate 21. In the vicinity of the upper side of the regulating member 25, a plurality of pins 24 are provided so as to be arranged in the lateral direction via the support member 23. These pins 24 are arranged at the same pitch as the arrangement of the chuckers 26, and are reciprocated, for example, in the direction of the arrow Na in FIG. A plurality of pins 22 are provided in the vicinity of the upper side of the pins 24 so as to be arranged in the horizontal direction. These pins 22 are supported by the frame body 20 and are erected so as to protrude to the front side from the surface of the glass plate 21, and have a constant pitch so that the medals m can pass between the adjacent pins 22. Are arranged in

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the medal m given initial speed is thrown from the medal shooter 142, the medal m flies through the air so as to draw a mountain-shaped parabola, and then obliquely faces the inclined surface 21A. collide. Here, the medal m generally falls while rampaging between the posture along the inclined surface 21A and the posture standing up with respect to the inclined surface 21A, and the course is changed by hitting the pin 22 and the pin 24. When the medals m pass through the back of the regulating member 25, most of them enter the chucker 26. On the other hand, when the medal m passes through the front side of the regulating member 25, the medal m falls from the front side of the chucker 26 without entering the chucker 26.

  Each chucker 26 is configured such that the passage of the medal m is detected by a sensor (not shown) provided therein, for example. When the medal m thrown out from the medal shooter 142 enters the chucker 26, the microcomputer 9 executes an electronic game developed on the image display device 2 or a predetermined game using the chucker 26. The lottery game in the catcher lottery apparatus 4 is configured to be executed according to a result of a predetermined game. As shown in FIG. 4, both the medal m that has entered the chucker 26 and the medal m that has not entered the chucker 26 fall on the pusher field 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pusher field 3 has a movable plate 31 overlaid on a fixed plate 30, and the movable plate 31 is driven by a motor (not shown) at a constant stroke with an arrow in FIG. It is comprised so that reciprocation as shown may be performed. When the movable plate 31 moves forward, when a plurality of medals m placed on the fixed plate 30 are pressed against each other toward the front of the fixed plate 30, the leading edge 30a of the fixed plate 30 The medal m is dropped into the drop groove 32 on the near side. The reciprocating movement of the movable plate 31 is configured to be repeatedly executed at all times. Instead, the movable plate 31 is operated intermittently in accordance with, for example, a game result executed in the image display device 2. It does not matter if you let them. The medal m dropped into the dropping groove 32 is paid out to a medal detention part (not shown) on the operation panel part 13 through a medal payout outlet 13B via a known medal paying mechanism (not shown) having a hopper device for the medal m. It is supposed to be. Balls b1 acquired by the catcher lottery device 4 are scattered on the fixed plate 30 according to the progress of the game, for example. The ball b1 moves forward as the medal m on the fixed plate 30 is pushed forward, and eventually falls into the drop groove 32. To the side of the pusher field 3, the medal m is paid out on the fixed plate 30 or the movable plate 31 when a predetermined result is obtained in an electronic game executed in the image display device 2 or a lottery game in the croon lottery device 6. For this purpose, a medal payout exit 33 is provided. A medal recovery port 301 is provided on both sides of the fixed plate 30 and the medal m that has entered the medal recovery port 301 is recovered in a predetermined medal storage unit (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the ball throwing mechanism 5 is for carrying the ball b1 acquired by the catcher lottery device 4 to be described later and throwing it into the pusher field 3, and includes a fixed rail 51 and a movable rail. A rail 52 is provided. In the present embodiment, the fixed rail 51 and the movable rail 52 are formed by, for example, bending or joining bars, and are used as passages for rolling the ball b1 from high to low by the action of gravity. Yes. At the upper end of the fixed rail 51, a tray 51a for placing a ball b1 picked up by a catcher 42, which will be described later, is provided. At the lower end of the fixed rail 51, there is a hole 51b for dropping the ball b1 to the base end of the movable rail 52. Is provided. The movable rail 52 is for changing the throwing position of the ball b1 with respect to the pusher field 3. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the movable rail 52 has a base end 52a connected to the output shaft of the motor 54 via the rotating plate 53, and preferably a vertical axis passing through the center of the hole 51b. It can be rotated around. A hole 52b for dropping the ball b1 is provided at the tip of the movable rail 52. When the movable rail 52 is rotated, the throwing position of the ball b1 through the hole 52b changes.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, three sensors 55 a, 55 b, 55 c made of, for example, photo interrupters are provided near the lower portion of the rotating plate 53, and the lower surface of the rotating plate 53 is provided on the lower surface of the rotating plate 53. Are provided with detected pieces 56 detected by the sensors 55a to 55c. The sensors 55a to 55c are arranged at equal intervals on a predetermined circumference. Among these, the sensors 55a and 55c detect the operation end of the rotation operation of the movable rail 52, and the sensor 55b performs the rotation operation. The center is detected. When the microcomputer 9 controls the driving of the motor 54 based on the detection signals from the sensors 55a to 55c, the movable rail 52 moves from the position where the detected piece 56 is detected by the sensor 55a to the position where the sensor 55c detects it. Within a certain angle range. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the hole 52b of the movable rail 52 (the position where the ball b1 is thrown in) is a first position (shown by a solid line in the figure) located directly above the drop groove 32, and the drop groove It is changed between the second position (indicated by the phantom line in the figure) that is farther away from the pusher field 3 than 32. That is, by turning the movable rail 52 within a certain angle range, the throwing position of the ball b1 is changed so that the horizontal distance from the drop groove 32 varies within a predetermined range.

  Further, in the present embodiment, for example, based on detection signals from the sensors 55a to 55c, the motor 54 is stopped by the control of the microcomputer 9, whereby the throwing position of the ball b1 is set to the first position (corresponding to the sensor 55a). ), The second position (corresponding to the sensor 55c), or the intermediate position (corresponding to the sensor 55b) between the first position and the second position. Furthermore, for example, when the microcomputer 9 drives and controls the motor 54 with reference to any one of the first position, the second position, and the intermediate position, the throwing position of the ball b1 is changed to the first position. It is also possible to stop at any position between the second positions.

  The position where the ball b1 is inserted into the pusher field 3 is determined according to the result of an electronic game (screen lottery) executed in the image display device 2, for example. For example, according to the game result in the image display device 2, the throwing position of the ball b1 is stopped at any one of the first position, the intermediate position, and the second position. The state where the throwing position of the ball b1 stops at the first position is advantageous for the player, and the state where the throwing position of the ball b1 stops at the second position is disadvantageous for the player. Or according to the game result in the image display apparatus 2, the rotation range of the movable rail 52 may be changed to change the throwing position of the ball b1. In this case, for example, it is advantageous for the player to reciprocate the throwing position of the ball b1 between the first position and the intermediate position (between the sensors 55a and 55b), and the throwing position of the ball b1 is set to the first intermediate position. It is disadvantageous for the player to reciprocate between the position and the second position (between the sensors 55b and 55c). Thus, in the present embodiment, the throwing position of the ball b1 is changed according to the game result in the image display device 2. Note that the rotational speed of the movable rail 52 may be changed in accordance with the game result executed in the image display device 2.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the center unit CU includes a catcher lottery device 4, a center lottery device 7, a main display 8, and a medal payout mechanism (not shown). In the present embodiment, the lottery game executed by the center lottery device 7 is a lottery for obtaining a jackpot (hereinafter referred to as SJP (super jackpot)) from which a maximum of thousands of medals m are paid out.

  The catcher lottery device 4 is for performing a lottery for picking up the ball b <b> 1 by an input operation of a player, and includes a catcher driving unit 41, a catcher 42, and a rotary table 43. On the turntable 43, a plurality of balls b1 (game media) are placed.

  The catcher driving unit 41 includes a linear rail 411 that supports the catcher 42, a rotating mechanism 412 that rotates the linear rail 411, and a linear moving mechanism 413. One end of the straight rail 411 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 121 provided near the center of the upper cover 12, while a roller 411 A provided at the other end is near the periphery of the upper cover 12. It travels on the arc rail 122 provided in the. The rotation mechanism 412 having such a configuration is driven by a motor (not shown). The linear movement mechanism 413 is for linearly moving the catcher 42 along the longitudinal direction of the linear rail 411, and includes a slide member 414 that can slide in the longitudinal direction of the linear rail 411. The catcher 42 is suspended from the slide member 414 via an expansion / contraction shaft 415, and a motor for performing an expansion / contraction operation of the expansion / contraction shaft 415 is provided inside the slide member 414. The slide member 414 is driven through a pulley and a belt by a motor (not shown), for example.

  The catcher 42 has a pair of opening and closing holding claws 421 for holding the ball b1, and a motor for opening and closing the holding claws 421 is provided inside the catcher 42. The catcher 42 stands by directly above the tray 51a when the game is not being executed. In the present embodiment, one set of the catcher 42 and the catcher driving unit 41 is provided for every two adjacent medal game fields MF.

  The rotary table 43 has an annular shape in plan view, and an upper surface portion thereof is a flat ball mounting surface 43a. The ball mounting surface 43a is provided with a plurality of dimples 43b. Further, the rotary table 43 is provided with an upright wall 43c erected upward so as to surround the periphery of the ball mounting surface 43a. As shown in FIG. 9, the dimple 43b is spherical, and its radius of curvature is larger than the radius of curvature of the ball b1. The depth of the dimple 43b is set to be relatively small, about 1/10 of the diameter of the ball b1. Thus, in a state where the ball b1 is fitted in the dimple 43b, even if the rotary table 43 rotates at a constant speed, the ball b1 does not come out of the dimple 43b, and the movement of the ball b1 with respect to the ball mounting surface 43a is not caused. Be regulated. These dimples 43 b are regularly arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotary table 43. The distance between the dimples 43b is such that the ball b1 can pass through, so that the ball b1 can pass between the two adjacent dimples 43b even when the ball b1 is fitted. ing. Further, the diameter of the dimple 43b may be appropriately changed for each row along the circumferential direction.

  The rotary table 43 configured as described above is supported so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis with respect to the lower casing 10 and is rotated by the microcomputer 9 controlling a motor (not shown).

  The plurality of balls b1 are composed of two or more types having different attributes. The attributes of the ball b1 are apparently distinguishable, and in the present embodiment, for example, there are three types of attributes color-coded red, blue, and yellow. Further, an IC tag (not shown) is built in the ball b1, and the attribute of the ball b1 can be identified by reading the IC tag with a reading sensor.

  In the present embodiment, the number of medals to be paid out when the SJP lottery is won in the center lottery device 7 is set to be different according to the attribute type of the ball b1. That is, the number of medals to be paid out at the time of SJP winning is defined in correspondence with the color of the ball b1. The medal payout number is, for example, different from the initial value of 1000 for red, 500 for blue, and 500 for yellow, and is added according to the number of medals inserted into the medal game field MF by each player. Is set. Specifically, a value obtained by multiplying the number of inserted medals by a predetermined coefficient is added. Here, the added value is not constant for all colors and may be different. For example, the coefficient of each color is adopted so that the added value is maximized for the display value of the number of medals paid out. Further, when SJP winning occurs, the medal payout number corresponding to the color related to SJP winning is reset to the initial value. The number of medals to be paid out for each color is displayed on the main display 8, for example.

  The catcher 42 operates according to the operation of the lever 13C and the operation button 13A of the operation panel unit 13. For example, when the right of lottery in the catcher lottery device 4 is generated, the player operates the lever 13C at an arbitrary timing, so that the catcher 42 (sliding member 414) is moved to a desired position within the range in which the linear rail 411 is reciprocally rotated. For example, it can be moved to the target circle b1). By pressing the operation button 13A at this position, as shown in FIG. 10, the telescopic shaft 415 is automatically sent out and the catcher 42 is lowered. At this time, the holding claw 421 is in an open state. Then, when the catcher 42 comes into contact with the ball mounting surface 43a of the rotary table 43, the contact is detected by a sensor, and the holding claw 421 is closed after the catcher 42 is lifted up a little (see FIG. 11). Thereby, during the operation of closing the holding claw 421, the holding claw 421 does not come into contact with the rotary table 43 and is not dragged, and an extra load is not applied to the telescopic shaft 415 or the like. Here, if the ball b1 is in a position where it is sandwiched between the holding claws 421, the ball b1 can be scooped up. Next, the catcher 42 is pulled up and the turning mechanism 412 and the linear movement mechanism 413 are operated to return the catcher 42 to the standby position (directly above the tray 51a). Next, the holding claw 421 is opened. These series of operations are controlled by the microcomputer 9. In addition, the carrying operation of the ball b1 by the above-described catcher driving unit 41 and the catcher 42 serves as game medium supply means in the present invention.

  When the ball b1 is acquired by the catcher lottery device 4, the ball b1 is thrown toward the pusher field 3 via the fixed rail 51 and the movable rail 52 of the ball throwing mechanism 5. When the ball b1 falls from the drop groove 32, an attribute of the ball b1 is read by the reading sensor (not shown) below the drop groove 32, and then a lottery game is executed in the cruising lottery device 6. The ball b1 from which the attribute has been read is returned onto the rotary table 43 via a lift mechanism (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the Kroon lottery apparatus 6 is for performing a physical lottery using the ball b <b> 2, and rotates in the center of the lottery board 61 on which the ball b <b> 2 rolls and the lottery board 61. And two discs 62 and 63 which are arranged in the vertical direction. The upper disk 62 is formed with a plurality of (six in this embodiment) winning holes 62a into which the balls b2 enter, and the lower disk 63 has a plurality of holes through which the balls b2 can pass. 63a is formed at the same pitch as the winning holes 62a. The disc 63 can be moved relative to the disc 62 between the position where the hole 63a is displaced from the winning hole 62a and the position where the hole 63a overlaps the winning hole 62a by about a half pitch of the arrangement pitch of the holes 63a. ing. In the present embodiment, for example, one winning hole 62a is a right acquisition (winning) for proceeding to the SJP lottery in the center lottery device 7, and the other five winning holes 62a are provided by the medal payout opening 32. The predetermined number of medals are paid out and the electronic game in the image display device 2 is stepped up.

  At the time of lottery in the cruising lottery device 6, the microcomputer 9 drives a motor (not shown) so that the disks 62 and 63 are rotated in a fixed direction with the positional relationship between the winning hole 62a and the hole 63a being shifted. Here, for example, a one-way clutch (not shown) is engaged with the disk 62, and the disk 62 is rotated following the rotational drive of the disk 63. Then, the ball b2 at the standby position is automatically released onto the lottery board 61. When the ball b2 enters one of the winning holes 62a, the ball b2 is supported on the upper surface of the disk 63, and is temporarily held in a state of being about half of the winning hole 62a. Here, which winning hole 62a the ball b2 enters is detected by a sensor (not shown), and the process proceeds to the next development according to the winning hole 62a. Next, for example, only the disk 63 is slightly rotated backward, and the hole 63a overlaps with the winning hole 62a, whereby the ball b2 falls from the hole 63a. The dropped ball b2 is returned to the standby position again by a lift mechanism (not shown), for example.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the center lottery device 7 is for performing a physical lottery (SJP lottery) using the ball b3, and includes a rolling field 71 on which the ball b3 rolls, a rail 72, , An inclined field 73 and a winning table 74 are provided. These portions denoted by reference numerals 71 to 74 are supported by the central casing 70, and the central casing 70 is supported so as to be rotatable around the vertical axis with respect to the lower casing 10.

  The rolling field 71 has a hole 71a formed in the center, and has a funnel shape that becomes lower as it goes toward the center. The rail 72 rolls the ball b3 dropped from the hole 71a in a spiral shape and drops it to the back of the inclined field 73 through the hole 72a at the lower end. The inclined field 73 has an inclined surface that becomes lower toward the front side, and is configured to guide the ball b3 to the opening 73c on the front side while playing a bounce portion 73b stretched with rubber, for example. In addition, a rotating board 73a in which rubber is stretched is provided in the center of the inclined field 73, and the rotating board 73a is appropriately rotated around a vertical axis with respect to the inclined surface. As a result, the ball b3 dropped through the rail 72 is repelled by the rotating board 73a and moves irregularly. The winning table 74 has a plurality (20 in this embodiment) of pockets 74a arranged along a predetermined circumference, and is inclined so as to become lower toward the front side. The winning table 74 is supported with respect to the central housing 70 so as to be rotatable around a predetermined tilt axis while maintaining the tilt posture. Adjacent pockets 74a are separated by a vertical wall, and when the ball b3 passes through the opening 73c of the inclined field 73, it enters one of the pockets 74a.

  The award content corresponding to each pocket 74a is displayed on the outer periphery of the pocket 74a. In the present embodiment, for example, of the 20 pockets 74a, 1 is SJP winning, 5 is a predetermined number of medals paid out other than SJP, 4 is the right to win the lottery by the catcher lottery device 4, and 10 are not , Assigned as. A sensor (not shown) for detecting that the ball b3 has entered is provided inside each pocket 74a.

  At the time of lottery in the center lottery device 7, the central casing 70 controls the motor (not shown) by the microcomputer 9 so that the tilt direction of the tilt field 73 or winning table 74 faces the front direction of the player who performs the SJP lottery. It is rotated appropriately. The winning table 74 is appropriately rotated by the microcomputer 9 controlling a motor (not shown). Then, the ball b3 at the standby position is released to the rolling field 71. The ball b3 rolls on the rolling field 71, the rail 72, and the inclined field 73, passes through the opening 73c, and enters one of the pockets 74a. Here, the sensor detects which pocket 74a the ball b3 has entered, and an award corresponding to the pocket 74a is given to the player. Next, for example, the winning table 74 is rotated about half a round, and the pocket 74a containing the ball b3 is disposed in the upper back, whereby the ball b3 is dropped and collected in the central housing 70. The collected ball b3 is returned to the standby position again by a lift mechanism (not shown), for example.

  The medal payout mechanism is for paying out the medal m on the medal game field MF of the corresponding player after the lottery game (SJP lottery) in the center lottery device 7 is completed. Although not shown in detail in the drawings, the medal payout mechanism is stored on the back side of the main display 8 at normal times, for example, and is extended downward to be directly below the medal game field MF when paying out medals. It is configured to form. At the time of paying out medals, medals m are supplied onto the medal transport path from bowls (not shown) provided at both upper ends of the main display 8.

  In the game machine A of the present embodiment, when the ball b1 obtained by the catcher lottery device 4 and thrown into the pusher field 3 through the ball throwing mechanism 5 falls into the drop groove 32, the croon lottery device 6 The lottery game is started. In the ball throwing mechanism 5, the driving of the motor 54 is controlled by the microcomputer 9 based on the detection signals of the sensors 55 a to 55 c, so that the movable rail 52 reciprocates and the ball b 1 is thrown into the pusher field 3. Are continuously changed.

  Here, the closer the throwing position of the ball b1 is to the dropping groove 32, the more advantageous to the player, and the farther the throwing position of the ball b1 is from the dropping groove 32, the more disadvantageous to the player. In the present embodiment, the next game development varies in various ways by continuously changing the insertion position of the ball b1. For this reason, the player is highly interested in which position the ball b1 is thrown into. Therefore, according to this structure, the expectation degree and excitement degree of a player can be raised, and the interest as a game machine can be raised. Even if the ball b1 is continuously thrown into the pusher field 3, the uneven distribution of the ball b1 on the pusher field 3 is reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the throwing position of the ball b1 by the ball throwing mechanism 5 is continuously changed between a first position immediately above the dropping groove 32 and a second position farthest from the dropping groove 32. . For this reason, depending on the timing at which the ball b1 is dropped through the movable rail 52, the ball b1 can be dropped directly into the drop groove 32, and the chance that the lottery game by the croon lottery device 6 is started immediately. There is. Thereby, a player's expectation degree and excitement degree are raised more, and the interest as a game machine can be raised more.

  In the ball throwing mechanism 5, the driving of the motor 54 is controlled by the microcomputer 9 based on the detection signals of the sensors 55a to 55c, so that the throwing position of the ball b1 is set between the first position and the second position. It can be stopped at a predetermined position. For this reason, for example, according to the result of the lottery using the image display device 2, it is possible to set a time zone in which the throwing position of the ball b1 is stopped at the first position. The state in which the throwing position of the ball b1 is stopped at the first position is advantageous for the player. As can be understood from the above, according to the present embodiment, various game characteristics can be provided with respect to the insertion of the ball b1 into the pusher field 3, and the interest as a game machine can be further enhanced.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The specific configuration of each part of the game machine according to the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  In the game machine according to the present invention, the predetermined event that is started when the game medium (ball b1) falls into the drop groove may be any event. In the above embodiment, the lottery by the croon lottery device 6 is started when the ball b1 falls into the drop groove 32, but instead, the lottery by the center lottery device 7 is performed. It may be configured to be started. The predetermined event does not necessarily need to be a lottery. For example, a predetermined number of medals m may be paid out directly to the player when the ball b1 falls into the drop groove 32, or an image display device It is good also as a structure which advances the game performed in 2. FIG.

  The predetermined passage (movable rail 52) constituting the input position changing means is not limited to the rail formed by the bar as in the above-described embodiment. For example, the cross section has a rectangular or semicircular groove shape. It is good also as a rail. In addition, the predetermined passage may have a configuration in which the tip is opened instead of the configuration in which the hole 52b is provided in the tip as in the above embodiment. In this case, the entire predetermined passage or the tip may be inclined.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the rotation range of the movable rail 52 is changed between the sensors 55a and 55b or between the sensors 55b and 55c has been exemplified. However, the motor is based on the position of any one of the sensors 55a, 55b and 55c. When the microcomputer 9 drives and controls 54, it is also possible to set the rotation range of the movable rail 52 to an arbitrary range.

  The method of throwing the ball b1 is not limited to the method using the catcher 42 as in the above-described embodiment. For example, the ball b1 may be raised by a lifter and thrown into a predetermined path (movable rail 52).

  The game medium is not limited to a spherical ball, and a non-spherical object such as a polyhedron other than a ball, an ellipsoid, or a cylinder can be used.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a medal game machine has been described. However, the present invention may also be applied to a prize acquisition game machine that acquires a prize (playing medium) placed on a pusher field, for example. Is possible.

1 is an overall external view of an embodiment of a game machine according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the game machine shown in FIG. It is a schematic front view which shows the structural example of the medal game field of the game machine shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the configuration shown in FIG. 3. It is a principal part top view of the structure shown by FIG. It is a principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view of the structure shown by FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view which follows the VII-VII line of FIG. It is a principal part perspective view of the game machine shown in FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing of FIG. It is a principal part front view for demonstrating the action | operation of a catcher. It is a principal part front view for demonstrating the action | operation of a catcher. It is a principal part perspective view of the game machine shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

A game machine b1 ball (game medium)
m Medal (play media)
MF Medal game field 2 Image display device 3 Pusher field 4 Catcher lottery device 5 Ball insertion mechanism (injection position changing means)
6 Kroon lottery device 7 Center lottery device 30 Fixed plate 31 Movable plate 32 Drop groove 42 Catcher 52 Movable rail (predetermined path)

Claims (5)

A fixed plate and a movable plate that reciprocates on the fixed plate, and comprises a pusher field configured such that a play medium placed on the fixed plate is pushed by the movable plate and falls into a drop groove;
A game machine configured to start a predetermined event when a game medium thrown into the pusher field through a predetermined passage falls into the drop groove,
Game medium supply means for supplying the game medium to the predetermined passage;
An input position change in which the input position of the game medium with respect to the pusher field is changed so that the horizontal distance to the drop groove varies within a predetermined range by reciprocatingly rotating the predetermined passage around a vertical axis. And a game machine.   The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the insertion position changing means changes the insertion position between a first position immediately above the dropping groove and a second position spaced apart from the dropping groove.   The game machine according to claim 2, wherein the insertion position changing unit is configured to be able to stop the insertion position at a predetermined position between the first position and the second position.   The game machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the insertion position changing means changes the insertion position in accordance with a predetermined game result.   The game according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a medal game field in which a game using medals is performed, wherein medals are paid out in accordance with a result of the predetermined event. Machine.

Images